by Donald Baiar

The 24th annual 2011 Columbia Flyway Wildlife Show held on September 10 and 11 was another resounding success with 92 artists from the US and Canada entering 293 carvings. Vancouver’s spectacular Water Resources Education Center again served as the taylor made venue. The Center’s environmental mission to educate and protect wildlife and the environment harmonizes perfectly with our show that focuses on exquisite carvings of birds, fish and mammals. Since our association with the IWCA, the show has grown every year since it’s beginnings 24 years ago in an inauspicious church basement.

The CFWS hosted the Bob Sutton IWCA Style Decoy National Championship and Jim Brace won Best of Show for his Black Duck hen. Ted Smith won Second Best with an Eared Grebe and a Black Scoter earned Third Best for Bruce DiVaccaro. Fred Hamer of Burbank California our featured carver and last year’s best of show winner set up an impressive display of his work. World Champion Dennis Schroeder honored us by his own display in the foyer and demonstrated close up painting techniques at his table. The impressive entrance fountain pond floated a large slate of IWCA Style and Working decoys amazing a good crowd all afternoon. Even W.C. editor Tom “Da Judge” Huntington travelled West to set up a Waterfowl Carving table and was drafted to help judge our entertaining Miniature Floating Decoy Trade event. The event’s 2012 species will be the Canvasback Drake. Cascade Carvers Supply and a new Wood vendor Jerry Harris of Dallas OR serviced carvers needs for tools and materials. An impressive showing of framed Junior Duck Stamp art was displayed on the Center’s White Sturgeon Gallery walls and two expert demos by Brad Snodgrass and Fred Hamer in the Center’s Classroom were very well attended.

Best of Show winner Tony Donato also bagged two Special awards from Ducks Unlimited and the Audubon team for his fine Green-winged Teal hen. Judy Caldwell’s Grey Fox with mouse was favored by People’s Choice on Saturday and Carver’s Choice. Our Sportswriter’s Award deservedly went to Ron Edward’s Steelhead wall hanging. Everett Rodriguez’s Virginia Rail won the Mayors Award, and Michael Buelna’s great Leopard Shark won my favor with the Chairman’s Award. The $500 Feather and Quill Club Purchase Award went home again with Jerry Harris for his exquisite Long-tail and Dr Lyon’s $1000 Best of the Northwest Purchase Award was garnered by the talented Peter Kaune with a remarkable Violet-green Swallow. Next year’s Best of N.W. species will be the Bohemian Waxwing so look for Jerry Poindexter’s painting tips in an upcoming WC issue. The O’Neill Best of Washington Back Yard Birds $1000 Purchase Award was taken by Jerry for his entrancing Evening Grosbeak. Species for next year to be announced.

Keep checking our web site as it is updated at columbiaflywaywildlifeshow.com for all information about next year’s show to be held on September 8 & 9. 2012.

Fred Hamer, Burbank, California

Fred won the Best of Show award at the 2010 Columbia Flyway Wildlife Show with the miniature Harpy Eagles pictured below. He is the featured artist for 2011 and will be giving a lecture/ demonstration on fabricating bird feet as well as exhibiting his work.

He has a long history of carving with his dad, a marine biologist with the New Jersey Fish and Game Department. From him he learned taxidermy and bird banding. He continued working with bird art and has sold his carvings and illustrations. Many of those are in museums and collections today.

Fred strives to capture the beautiful design and for he observes in the creatures he studies.

Fred resides in Burbank, California but is no stranger to this show and has won many awards here.